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South Dakota State University

Name: Campus Tour
Start: 2026-04-17T14:00:00
Location: South Dakota State University

Brookings, South Dakota 57007-1898

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Campus Vibe

College townGreek life

Known for health sciences

South Dakota State University is a public town institution in Brookings, South Dakota. The school is accessible to a wide range of students, with an average SAT of 1121.

A mid-sized campus of 8.8K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The town location creates a classic college-town feel.

60% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $55,070 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $18,219.

Established

1881

Mascot

Jack the Jackrabbit

Type

Public land-grant research university

Conference

NCAA Division I

Division

Division I

Campus Visits

114 upcoming visits · Next: Mon, Apr 13 · Campus Tour

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99%Acceptance

1121SAT Avg

8,798Students

17:1Student:Faculty

60%Grad Rate

$55,070Earnings 10yr

$18,219Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

South Dakota State University Launches New Data Science Minor

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tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

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Admissions

Acceptance Rate98.7%

SAT Score Ranges

Average: 1121

Reading & WritingMid: 540

520640

MathMid: 560

520660

ACT Score Range

CompositeMid: 22

1926

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

98.7%

Trend

SAT Avg

1121

Yield Rate

35.0%

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Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$9,299

Tuition (out-of-state)$12,809

Room & Board$9,562

Books & Supplies$1,200

Total Cost of Attendance$22,761

Average Net Price$18,219

Median Debt at Graduation$23,250

Monthly Payment (10yr)$246

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$12,517

$30–48K$14,297

$48–75K$17,811

$75–110K$19,424

$110K+$20,048

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$18,219

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

5400.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$16,246

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Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

Peer Average

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

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Programs (188)

Student Life

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Student Body

Undergrads

8,798

Gender Split

54% / 46%

Women / Men

First Generation

20%

Pell Grant Recipients

16%

Race & Ethnicity

White 86%

Black 1%

Hispanic 3%

Asian 1%

Two+ 2%

Int'l 3%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate59.6%

Freshman Retention82.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$49,564

8 Years$52,417

10 Years$55,070

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women

$44,500

Men

$56,200

Rankings

U.S. News

#266

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Forbes

#471

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Wall Street Journal

#29

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Washington Monthly

#281

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More About This School

Rankings

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History & Fun Facts

•History The Coughlin Campanile completed in 1929 on west campus.
•It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
•The university was founded in the Dakota Territory on February 21, 1881, as Dakota Agriculture College.
•The first building, with funding from the territorial legislature, was built in 1883, six years before the State of South Dakota was formed.
•The name was changed in 1904 to South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.

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Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

90Average

Estimated from SD state average

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 60"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Minneapolispop. 430K

179 mi(310 min)

Kansas Citypop. 500K

378 mi(655 min)

Milwaukeepop. 570K

452 mi(783 min)

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Getting There

Nearest Airports

MSP Minneapolis-St Paul179 mi

MCI Kansas City363 mi

MKE Milwaukee454 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA1294 mi · ~37h 23m drive

New York, NY1182 mi · ~34h 9m drive

Hartford, CT1226 mi · ~35h 25m drive

Providence, RI1287 mi · ~37h 11m drive

Albany, NY1156 mi · ~33h 24m drive

Syracuse, NY1032 mi · ~29h 49m drive

Rochester, NY958 mi · ~27h 41m drive

Buffalo, NY899 mi · ~25h 58m drive

Philadelphia, PA1144 mi · ~33h 3m drive

Pittsburgh, PA896 mi · ~25h 53m drive

Harrisburg, PA1052 mi · ~30h 23m drive

Newark, NJ1174 mi · ~33h 55m drive

Washington, DC1083 mi · ~31h 17m drive

Baltimore, MD1092 mi · ~31h 33m drive

Atlanta, GA986 mi · ~28h 29m drive

Charlotte, NC1051 mi · ~30h 22m drive

Raleigh, NC1123 mi · ~32h 27m drive

Miami, FL1582 mi · ~45h 42m drive

Orlando, FL1381 mi · ~39h 54m drive

Tampa, FL1380 mi · ~39h 52m drive

Nashville, TN771 mi · ~22h 16m drive

New Orleans, LA1058 mi · ~30h 34m drive

Richmond, VA1110 mi · ~32h 4m drive

Chicago, IL491 mi · ~14h 11m drive

Detroit, MI703 mi · ~20h 19m drive

Minneapolis, MN179 mi · ~5h 10m drive

St. Louis, MO520 mi · ~15h 1m drive

Kansas City, MO378 mi · ~10h 55m drive

Indianapolis, IN629 mi · ~18h 10m drive

Columbus, OH766 mi · ~22h 8m drive

Cleveland, OH787 mi · ~22h 44m drive

Milwaukee, WI452 mi · ~13h 3m drive

Dallas, TX797 mi · ~23h 1m drive

Houston, TX1009 mi · ~29h 9m drive

Austin, TX972 mi · ~28h 5m drive

San Antonio, TX1033 mi · ~29h 51m drive

Los Angeles, CA1344 mi · ~38h 50m drive

San Francisco, CA1403 mi · ~40h 32m drive

San Diego, CA1356 mi · ~39h 10m drive

Seattle, WA1242 mi · ~35h 53m drive

Portland, OR1264 mi · ~36h 31m drive

Denver, CO526 mi · ~15h 12m drive

Phoenix, AZ1110 mi · ~32h 4m drive

Salt Lake City, UT806 mi · ~23h 17m drive

Honolulu, HI3787 mi · ~109h 24m drive

Upper Midwest / Northeast (cold winters, warm summers)

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Visit Planning

Suggested Itinerary

9:00 AMArrive & park

Visitor parking lot

Free parking with visitor pass

9:30 AMCheck in at Admissions

Admissions Office

10:00 AMInformation session

Welcome Center

45 minutes

11:00 AMCampus tour

Starts at Welcome Center

75 minutes, student-led

12:30 PMLunch

Main Dining Hall

Visitor meal passes available

1:30 PMDepartment visit

Academic buildings

Schedule with department directly

2:30 PMExplore campus independently

Library, student center, residence halls

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Check nearby accommodations

$80-150/night

< 10 mi

Airport Transit

Minneapolis-St Paul (MSP)179 miles

Rental car

269 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

358 min$215-358

Kansas City (MCI)363 miles

Rental car

545 min$40-60/day

Shuttle/rideshare

726 min$436-726

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Deadline Calendar

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South Dakota State University Application Checklist

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

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Official High School Transcript

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School Report + Counselor Recommendation

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Two Teacher Recommendations

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SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

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South Dakota State University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

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CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

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Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

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Interview (recommended)Optional

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Decision Notifications

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SAT Range	Avg Award	Note
1400-1600	$25,000	Academic merit scholarship
1200-1399	$15,000	Dean's scholarship
1000-1199	$8,000	Achievement award